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Council denies request to hold fireworks two nights in a row at McCormack Park
Summary
Council declined 5–6 to grant a second consecutive-night waiver of the city noise ordinance to allow public fireworks at McCormack Park on both July 3 and July 4. Councilors cited neighborhood impacts, veterans' sensitivities and process concerns; supporters emphasized the city’s 250th anniversary and the community value of a public display.
The council on June 22 rejected a request to waive the city noise ordinance to permit consecutive fireworks displays at McCormack Park on July 3 and July 4. The motion to allow the second night failed 5–6.
Parks staff said Paddle Heads had arranged a July 3 public family event funded through a Town Pump grant; the organization later sought an additional July 4 display timed with a separate baseball game. Staff and the mayor said the request arose after ongoing lease negotiations that would allow one such consecutive‑night event in the future, but the council vote dealt only with the immediate waiver.
Council debate focused on competing viewpoints. Supporters of the waiver said the city should mark America’s 250th birthday with robust public programming and that public displays concentrate fireworks in a safe, legal venue and may reduce private‑use displays. Opponents and several public commenters urged caution, citing noise impacts on veterans and people with PTSD, pets and wildlife, neighborhood disruption and a preference for a predictable single annual display.
Councilors also noted process concerns: some council members said the Paddle Heads had advertised a July 4 show before the city’s permit and lease language were finalized. Chief Lonnie Rash confirmed that, from a fire‑safety permitting perspective, a licensed professional display at a permitted site would be allowed; the council vote was about the discretionary noise waiver.
Outcome: The council denied the immediate two‑night noise waiver (5 votes opposed, 6 in favor needed to pass). The July 3 event remained scheduled under the existing lease and permit structure; council and staff said they expect any lease amendments to be handled in future committee proceedings.
What’s next: Paddle Heads and the city will continue lease discussions and the city will review how to handle predictable annual scheduling and neighborhood notification for future Fourth‑of‑July programming.
